New Delhi: Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday dismissed Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray's comments against Biharis living in Maharashtra, saying every citizen has the right to travel freely across the country.

"It is not in the interest of the nation to violate the provisions of the Constitution," Shinde told reporters here when asked to comment on Thackeray's remarks.

"Every citizen had the right to travel freely across the country. Our Constitution has given equal right to all," he said.

Thackeray, who is Shiv Sena's Executive President, had said if the Bihar government doesn't allow the Mumbai Police to track down a criminal in that state, then there should also be a permit system for migrants who come to Mumbai from Bihar to make a living.